Eating Ourselves to Death

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Food. Often a symbol of nurturance, wealth, relief of tension and comfort has now been distorted into the villain of a terrible condition, a condition that affects one out of every three adults in America (Raj). Society has taken advantage of the resources available such as the media and larger dinnerware pieces. Food has been used to lure people, not educated about the detrimental effects of overeating, into a marketing trap of “the bigger the better” (Young). Due to the epidemic rise in obesity among Americans, the NEH needs to fund education regarding portion sizes and obesity.

Obesity is defined by the World Book as the condition of having an excessive amount of body fat. It results from an energy imbalance in which an individual consumes more calories in food and drinks than they can burn. Obesity is a widespread concern that affects the vast majority of Americans. People are considered to be overweight if their body-mass index (BMI) is between 25 and 29.9 and obese if their BMI is higher than 30 (Reinberg). In the past, obesity was typically only an issue in high-income areas; however, it is now one of the fastest growing health issues in America. According to the Center for Disease Control, 27 percent of American adults are considered obese, 37 percent overweight, and 18 percent of children are affected by obesity (Serrano). These percents show trends in obesity starting in children and leading into adulthood.

Obese children are more likely to become obese adults and develop health problems. NHANES indicates an estimated 17 percent of children and adolescents’ ages 2-19 are obese. Children from the ages of two to five showed an increase in obesity from 5-10.4 percent between 1976-1980. In 2007-2008 there was a 6.5-19...

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...cents.” Indian Journal

Of Medical Research (Nov 2010): 598 Gale, KS State Library. 24 Feb. 2011

Reinberg, Steven “Almost 10 Percent of U.S. Medical Costs Tied to Obesity” ABC

News/Health 27 July 2010. Web. 1 March 2011.

Serrano, Elana L. “Obesity” World Book Student. World Book, 2011. Web. 23 Feb. 2011

Steenhuis, Ingrid HM. and William M. Vermeer. “Portion Size: Review and Framework

For Interventions.” The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical

Activity. (August 21, 2009): 58 Gale, KS State Library. 24 Feb. 2011

“The more they serve, the more we eat…” Health News (July 2006): 6 Health Reference

Center Academic. Gale, KS State Library 24 Feb. 2011

Young, Lisa R. and Marion Nestle. “Portion Sizes and Obesity: Responses of Fast-Food

Companies.” Journal of Public Health Policy (July 2007): 238 Gale, KS State

Library. 23 Feb. 2011

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